Guidelines for WNIJ News Stories
For newscasts, we like to have two versions of each story, plus a web posting. This is because we alternate versions during different hours of the programs. It is preferred to have a wrap version and a cut and copy version.
If you are covering an event in-person, take pictures! (Be sure to get correct spellings of names and titles for the captions)
Below are some common terms and types of stories used in the WNIJ Newsroom. Each is followed by an example.
- Lede: An introduction to a story read by the anchor.
Example: DeKalb County officials continue to track West Nile Virus. WNIJ’s Jane Doe has more on those efforts:
0813WNVW (:57...SOC)
"0813WNVW" is the slug, it starts with the airdate followed by a brief title to describe the story (<12 characters) The “W” indicates this is a wrap voiced by the reporter. :45 is the length of the story. “SOC” is short for “Standard Outcue” meaning you end the story with your name.
- WNIJ Standard Outcue (SOC): “I’m Jane Doe, WNIJ News.”
For instance, if you were to end the story with sound of applause after you sign off then you would need to let the anchor know that. Instead of SOC, you might write, “applause fades.”
- Reader: A story that is read by the anchor. It does NOT includes soundbites
Example: Anchor: DeKalb County health officials continue to track West Nile Virus. The health department regularly tests birds and mosquitos for the virus. A bird in Genoa (jen-OH-uh) recently tested positive for West Nile. Landowners are encouraged to report suspicious birds to the health department.
- Voicer: A story that includes a lede for the anchor to read. The reporter reads the entire story, and it does not include soundbites. Typically, around 40-45 seconds. It is used when a source does not want to be recorded but has information to offer.
Example: Anchor: DeKalb County officials continue to track West Nile Virus. WNIJ’s Jane Doe has more on those efforts:
0813WNVV (:40...SOC)
Reporter: The county currently has four mosquito traps that are monitored weekly. A recent batch near Genoa tested positive for West Nile Virus. Ray Dio is the Director of Health Protection. He says mosquitos that transmit West Nile Virus prefer hot and dry days. They love stagnant water, and their parting gift can leave you feeling pretty woozy, but is rarely fatal. The department depends on landowners to report dead birds who may have been exposed to West Nile. One found in DeKalb recently tested positive for the virus.
- Spot (also known as a Wrap): Includes a lede and one or more soundbites. Write out the soundbite.
Ideal length (:45-1:00)
Example: Anchor: DeKalb County officials continue to track West Nile Virus. WNIJ’s Jane Doe has more on those efforts:
0813WNVW (:57...SOC)
Reporter: The county currently has four mosquito traps that are monitored weekly. A recent batch near Genoa tested positive for West Nile Virus. Ray Dio is the Director of Health Protection. He says mosquitos that transmit West Nile Virus prefer hot and dry days. They love stagnant water, and their parting gift can leave you feeling pretty woozy, but is rarely fatal.
“West Nile is endemic, meaning that it’s going to be in the area for the foreseeable future. We know it’s here, it is going to be here, it is just a matter of taking normal precautions that you would against any mosquito or insect bite.”
The department depends on landowners to report dead birds who may have been exposed to West Nile. One found in DeKalb recently tested positive for the virus. I’m Jane Doe, WNIJ News.
- Cut and Copy (also known as Reader w/ Tape): Does not include a lede and is not voiced by a reporter. It is text with a soundbite.
Example: Anchor: Illinois health officials have reported dozens of cases of Zika virus statewide. A different type of mosquito spreads Zika, which can cause birth defects. At this point, Zika has been spread by traveling to countries where the virus is most prevalent. Ray Dio is the Director of Health Protection. He says, for now, local officials are trying to learn as much as they can.
0813WNVCC “…different ways that it is transmitted, which has more ways to transmit than West Nile. Those are things that we are definitely keeping track of and then based off of that, trying to prepare plans on how we can address Zika in the communities should it become established in a mosquito population in the area.”
Anchor: The county currently tests mosquito batches for West Nile Virus, but Dio says they aren’t yet testing them for Zika.
- Web version: This is a good template for taking your audio version and making a web-friendly posting by combining two soundbites into one, comprehensive piece of text.
Example:
Headline: Buzz Off! Northern Illinois Officials Warn Of Mosquito-Related Illnesses
Bylines: Jane Doe
Category: Illinois
Body: DeKalb County officials continue to track West Nile Virus in birds and bugs.
The county currently has four mosquito traps that are monitored weekly. A recent batch near Genoa tested positive for West Nile Virus. Ray Dio is the Director of Health Protection. He says mosquitos that transmit West Nile Virus prefer hot and dry days. They love stagnant water, and their parting gift can leave you feeling pretty woozy, but is rarely fatal.
“West Nile is endemic, meaning that it’s going to be in the area for the foreseeable future,” Dio said. “We know it’s here, it is going to be here, it is just a matter of taking normal precautions that you would against any mosquito or insect bite.”
The department depends on landowners to report dead birds who may have been exposed to West Nile. One found in DeKalb recently tested positive for the virus.
Meanwhile, Illinois health officials have reported dozens of cases of Zika virus statewide.
A different type of mosquito spreads Zika, which can cause birth defects. At this point, Zika has been spread by traveling to countries where the virus is most prevalent.
Dio says, for now, local officials are trying to learn as much as they can.
“…different ways that it is transmitted, which has more ways to transmit than West Nile. Those are things that we are definitely keeping track of and then based off of that, trying to prepare plans on how we can address Zika in the communities should it become established in a mosquito population in the area.”
The county currently tests mosquito batches for West Nile Virus, but Dio says they aren’t yet testing them for Zika.
*Names have been changed in these examples for the purpose of illustration.